“Is it true?” Her eyes dropped to my belly.
My words were hollowed out in shallow breaths.
“Answer me. Is. It. True?”
I could barely manage a nod.
She placed the letter to the side and said, “I’ve sent for the physician to abort it.”
“I want to keep my babe.”
Her mouth twitched. “There are nowantsin here, Lovett.”
I slammed a fist down onto her desk. “No.”
Warden pushed the buzzer on the telephone, and a guard appeared. “Take her to solitary.” Her busied hands flew over paperwork, picking up speed, shuffling, organizing papers that were already neatly stacked.
I wriggled out of his grasp and leaped over to her side, falling to praying knees. “I beg you, ma’am. Please don’t kill my baby.” I reached for her hand and latched on.
She snatched it away and swiped the palm down her side, then pulled a handkerchief from her skirt. “Don’t you dare touch me, Lovett. Mind you, if you think this procedure is bad, there’s another surgery that can keep you obedient and calm.”
“I won’t cause any trouble. I have to keep my—”
Scrubbing the handkerchief across her hands, the warden shrilled, “Take her.”
“Please,please. My baby.”
She stepped back. “You’re dismissed.”
“Murderer, murderer,” I spat.
Warden turned to the window.
The guard grabbed hold of me.
“Wait. Please, ma’am, please, I’ll do anything. Tell me what to do. Please—”
***
In isolation, I sat on the floor, worrying light rubs over my belly. Time slowed and I startled when I finally saw the tray slot open. Then I heard her.
“Kid, it’s me.”
I crawled over to the door, rested my ear against the cold metal. “Waldeen?”
“Ya sure got yourself in a mess.”
“Please help me.”
There was a long pause.
“Waldeen?”
“There’s nothing I can do. Here’s your supper.”
“Are they going to give me a lobotomy?”
“Warden’s riled. But you’re still valuable to her. Keeping the kitchen ledgers and your library work is the only things saving ya. I think she’s more concerned about getting rid of the babe. Preventing a scandal.”
